Documents
France Naval Group
La Fayette class
A class of general-purpose frigates built by DCNS (now Naval Group) noted for pioneering stealth-shaping techniques on a warship hull, using angled surfaces and radar-absorbent composite materials to reduce radar cross-section. Beyond the French Navy it was exported to Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Taiwan.
In service since 1996 · 4 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
3,200
t
25
kn
151
crew
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
French export-licensed
CIEEMG inter-ministerial approval; broadly export-oriented.
Channel: DGA / direct commercial
Fielded & proven
Established · 4 operators
In service since 1996. Status: active · ~5 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Compatible munitions & weapons
Publicly reported weapons the La Fayette class can carry. Linked items have a full spec page.
Full specifications
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 100 mm main gun |
|---|
Protection
Armor, countermeasures and survivability.
| Signature reduction Radar cross-section shaping, RAM coatings, IR suppression. Actual RCS values are classified. | Angled superstructure and radar-absorbent composite paneling |
|---|
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 125 m |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 5 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 4 |
Specifications compiled from public Naval Group and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Navantia Alvaro de Bazan class (F100) Frequently asked questions
What is the main armament of the Naval Group La Fayette class? +
The Naval Group La Fayette class's primary weapon is the 100 mm main gun.
What is the Naval Group La Fayette class used for? +
The Naval Group La Fayette class is a warship typically used for air defense.
How many countries operate the Naval Group La Fayette class? +
The Naval Group La Fayette class is operated by 4 countries.
How much does the Naval Group La Fayette class cost? +
Naval Group La Fayette class: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
